ES2618304T3 - Sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, stationary, through which it can travel - Google Patents

Abstract

Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, comprising a vacuum pump (5), an evaporator of ethylene oxide (4), an ethylene oxide tank (3), a control (6) , a humidification equipment (7) and a sterilization chamber (2), characterized in that the sterilization chamber (2), the vacuum pump (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and the oxide oxide tank ethylene (3) are housed in at least one metal container (1)

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, stationary, through which it can travel

The present invention relates to a stationary, passable ethylene oxide sterilization plant, comprising a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank or an ethylene oxide cylinder, a control, a humidification plant (steam generator) and a sterilization chamber, in which the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are in a metal container or in several containers Metallic The ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are in a metal container, in which case the sterilization chamber can be in the same metal container or in another.

Gas sterilization by means of ethylene oxide is a common and long established procedure for the sterilization of various products whose mode of action is discussed in general terms in the usual standard works for sterilization (see, for example, Kramer and Assadian (2008): "Praxis der Sterilisation, Desinfektion, Antiseptik und Konservierung", chapter 5.9, pages 88 to 90). Therefore, there are many compact systems for gas sterilization by means of ethylene oxide that have been designed for application in hospital departments and individual laboratories.

Thus, in US 3 436 173 a portable and independent device for sterilization with ethylene oxide gas for rapid sterilization without the risk of an explosion is described. The portable device comprises, in a compact housing, a sterilization chamber with a special safe door against explosions, an ethylene oxide vaporizer, an electrically operated ford pump, control units, heating elements and an externally accessible device and that it can be sealed tightly by means of a screw closure to accommodate a single dose cartridge (30 g cartridge).

Also the document "Ethylenoxid-Gassterilisation" of R. Salzbrunn and R. M. Macmerth exposes the foundations of sterilization with ethylene oxide and discloses a sterilizer with fully automatic ethylene oxide equal to an industrial plant in small space.

A compact system for sterilization with ethylene oxide gas which is composed of two compartments, which make it possible to safely dose ethylene oxide from large containers for a large container for a container, is described in US Patent No. 5,891,390. single sterilization cycle and, at the same time, should prevent the use of single dose cartridges that are expensive. The first compartment contains in its housing the container with ethylene oxide as well as a dosing unit; and the second compartment contains a safe sterilization chamber against pressure with a volume of 8.8 cubic feet (corresponding to 0.25 m3), a ford pump and a humidification plant. In addition, a device for ventilation of both compartments is provided. In addition, a device is present that makes it possible for water to flood the first compartment with water in the event of a gas leak and thus reduce the risk of fire or explosion.

Document US 3 490 863 also describes a device for sterilization with gas by means of ethylene oxide, which consists of two compartments, in which the amount of sterilization gas introduced must be measured and regulated so that according to the load volume Only the necessary amount of gas is entered from the sterilization chamber. The first compartment in the form of a box accessible from above through a hinged lid plays the role of sterilization chamber with a volume of 3 cubic feet (corresponding to 0.085 m3), while the second compartment plays the role of compartment of supply with a housing container for a single dose cartridge with connected heating evaporator, a ford pump as well as gas lines, sensors and control valves. The focus of document US 3 490 863 is in a control mechanism which, upon achieving a certain gas pressure in the sterilization chamber, opens a safety valve and thus stops the entry of other gases into the sterilization chamber and in this way it reduces the risk of an overpressure in the sterilization chamber. At the same time, the gas cartridge is stranded through a bypass duct avoiding passing through the sterilization chamber, in order to prevent a risk of residual gas in the cartridge.

Sterilization plants used on an industrial scale, that is, plants with high load volumes that are suitable for the sterilization of pales, represent a totally different challenge. The existing ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization plants that are used in the industry (pallet sterilization plants) are finally installed on the site by the operator. In this case, considerable expense is generated during installation and commissioning. The supply units are accommodated in different spaces connected to each other by means of tubenas.

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A mobile sterilization plant through which this type can be traveled is known, for example, from WO 2013/124274 A1. In this case, a mixer without moving parts is provided for a more homogeneous distribution of the sterilization gas in the sterilization chamber.

Additionally, explosion protection must be taken into account in the construction of the building for individual installation spaces. This additionally results in a high expense for EO monitoring, as well as for building ventilation (safe laying against explosions as well as a permanent air exchange during normal operation in the spaces, as well as high emergency ventilation in case of leaks ).

In this way, the fundamental objective of the invention is to supply a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, which is suitable for the sterilization of pales, in a pre-installed way, ready to be issued .

It has been found that this objective is achieved by placing at least the components at risk of explosion of a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, in a container (preferably a metal container) or in several containers or preferably two containers, more preferably in several metal containers or particularly preferably two metal containers. It is also preferred if these are supplied with ventilation equipment (also called draft, ventilation or ventilation system), which is not normally a component of a sterilization plant.

The present invention therefore also relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, which comprises a vacuum pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, a humidification plant and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the vacuum pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are placed in at least one metal container and in which case the a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, additionally comprises a ventilation device for ventilating the container or containers, as well as the contained sterilization chamber.

In this way, the present invention relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled comprising a vacuum pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, a humidification plant (for example in the form of a steam generator, mainly electrically heated or with fossil fuels) and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the vacuum pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the tank of ethylene oxide are placed in at least one metal container and this metal container preferably has a ventilation device (for example a fan) which can be fixedly connected to the chamber. The design of the ventilation equipment depends on the volume of air in the spaces of the container. Preferably, an exchange of tenfold air per hour can be used during normal operation. The air exchange rate can be doubled in the event of a failure, for example in order to quickly dilute and remove the quantities of gas generated. The supervision of the ventilation equipment as well as the monitoring of the measurement values of the devices (sensors) to monitor the content of ethylene oxide (also called "equipment to monitor EO" or "equipment to monitor ethylene oxide") is carried out preferably controlling (by means of control equipment) the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide. In order to ensure efficient ventilation of the sterilization chamber and at the same time protect the area and personnel outside the container from ethylene oxide, the entrances (respectively the doors or the gates) of the container are also monitored (before all access to the sterilization chamber) by controlling the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, that is, the state of the inputs (open or closed) by the control is detected and monitored. In this way, the spatial monitoring of the sterilization zone is preferably integrated into the control of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant. Steam generators with high calonific powers can be connected in different stages (for example 60 kW in 4 stages each of 15 kW). The caloric power of the steam generator, which is necessary according to the specific application, depends on the size of the sterilization chamber and the product to be sterilized and can vary greatly.

Humidification of the products to be stabilized is an important component of the sterilization procedure. The humidification is partially carried out before the sterilization procedure itself and can be carried out in a separate space. Since this variant needs, however, an additional place, in the present invention this is not preferred. In the present invention a steam generator is used that has sufficient capacity for direct humidification in the sterilization process. The generation of steam for the sterilization process itself is carried out in general terms by evaporation of water, preferably distilled or deionized water. Evaporation is carried out by increasing the temperature.

A sterilization plant for the sterilization of pales, as used herein, means that the sterilization plant is technically constructed not only to sterilize individual products but to be able to load and sterilize the complete pales there, which are loaded with the products They are going to be sterilized.

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The present invention therefore also relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, comprising a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control , a humidification equipment and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are placed in at least one metal container, in which case the plant Sterilization with stationary ethylene oxide, through which it can be traversed, is a sterilization plant for pales.

If the three-dimensional measurements of an object (for example a metal container) are indicated in this description, they refer (if not mentioned something different) to the external dimensions of the object and are written in the form of "X mx Y mx Z m ", in which case this is called the sequence length x width x height (L x B x H). The exemplary object A (10 mx 3 mx 1.5 m) is then 10 m long, 3 m wide and 1.5 m high, while the exemplary object B (5 mx 3 mx 3 m) is exactly the same width but only half as long and twice as tall as object A.

As "pales", as used herein, flat supports, usually quadrangular, are designated which are used for storage and for the transport of large (stackable) quantities of goods (eg products to be sterilized). "Plane" means in this context that with respect to the dimensions of the support (defined by the length, width and height, the height is less than a quarter of the length of the support. Under the term "pale", as is used here, the usual Europool pales (1.2 mx 0.8 mx 0.144 m, also called European) fall, the Europool semi-pales (0.8 mx 0.6 mx 0.144 m, also called display-pales) , the so-called standardized industrial pales (1.2 mx 1.0 mx 0.144 m), non-standardized industrial pales (2.0 mx 1.2 mx 0.144 m or 2.0 mx 1.25 mx 0.144 m) as well as the usual pales in the American and Chinese space (approximately 1.2 mx 1.0 mx 0.145 m) as well as the usual pales in the rest of Asian space (1.1 mx 1.1 mx 0.13 m or 1.14 mx 1.14 mx 0.13 m) It is understood by sf that the minimum dimensions of the pales used may also have deviations depending on the production.The pales are usually not transported by hand but with the help of cargo handling devices such as, for example, forklifts, long-distance sliders or forklifts.

From the models made before it is evident that the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide according to the invention is by which it can be traveled to transit with load by the personnel, usually with a load handling device. That is to say, the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide according to the invention is a sterilization plant with ethylene oxide through which it can be traveled, through which it can be traveled. This is also evidenced by the dimensions and volumes of the plant described below.

In this way, the present invention also relates to an ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, which comprises a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control , a humidification equipment (for example in the form of a steam generator, heated mainly by electricity or with fossil fuels) and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and The ethylene oxide tank is placed in at least one metal container.

Therefore, the present invention also relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, which comprises a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, a humidification equipment (for example in the form of a steam generator, heated mainly with electricity or with fossil fuels) and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are placed in at least one metal container.

The present invention is also directed to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, which comprises a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, a device of humidification (for example in the form of a steam generator, heated mainly with electricity or with fossil fuels) and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the tank of ethylene oxide are placed in at least one metal container and in which case the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, also includes tubenas between the sterilization chamber and the ford pump, between the sterilization chamber and the ethylene oxide evaporator, between the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank as well as between the sterilization chamber and the humidification equipment

As evidenced by the models made before, in the sterilization plants with ethylene oxide according to the invention different compartments are distinguished within the metal container or metal containers. A compartment represents the sterilization chamber, while a second or other compartment, which can also be called "technical space", abstractly delimits the

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space in which the other technical components of the plant are housed (such as the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator, the ethylene oxide tank, the control, the humidification equipment, the ventilation equipment). While this technical space, obviously for example for the exchange of forged ethylene oxide tanks or for maintenance work, must be passable by maintenance personnel, the "passable" attribute is referred to in connection with the oxide sterilization plant ethylene of the invention first of all to the sterilization chamber, which has to be loaded by the staff with products to be sterilized (usually collected in pales).

Therefore, the present invention also relates to an ethylene oxide sterilization plant an ethylene oxide sterilization plant comprising a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control , a humidification equipment (for example in the form of a steam generator, heated mainly by electricity or with fossil fuels) and a passable sterilization chamber, characterized in that the passable sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the oxide evaporator of ethylene and the ethylene oxide tank are housed in at least one metal container.

By the term "at least one metal container" it should be understood that the aforementioned components are in a metal container, but they can also be distributed in several metal containers and preferably in two metal containers. Particularly preferred is a variant of a container. Although if two metal containers are used, they are preferably connected to each other via a supply channel and are therefore easy to install, that is, without great effort. The supplied ventilation equipment then supplies and ventilates both metal containers and, although it can preferably be placed outside both containers, it is housed in one of the two metal containers. In order to facilitate the construction, in the case of the variant of two containers an adjustment is carried out by means of a removable adjustment aid.

The supply channel described in the context of the two-container variant is a connection element that comprises (according to the possibility) all the ducts that produce a functional connection between the technical components in a metal container of the oxide sterilization plant of ethylene according to the invention with technical components in a second metal container of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the two container variant in which, in which a first container is contained the ford pump (optionally with an added exhaust purification equipment), the ethylene oxide evaporator, the ethylene oxide tank as well as the humidification equipment (for example in the form of a steam generator) and in the second container the sterilization chamber is included, the conduit from the ford pump to the sterilization chamber, these are the conduit from the humidification equipment to the sterilization chamber as well as the conduit from the ethylene oxide evaporator to the sterilization chamber. If a hot water system is also housed in the first container to heat the sterilization chamber and / or a ventilation equipment for both containers, then the hot water system and / or ventilation equipment ducts also represent connections functional of this type. All of the functional connections in the supply channel are preferably surrounded by a lining, that is to say the lining of the supply channel which may have a round, polygonal or rectangular cross-sectional section. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this coating of the supply channel is securely configured against explosions. The grouping of the ducts between two containers in a supply channel considerably facilitates not only assembly but also increases safety.

Therefore, it is preferred if the internal cross-sectional area of the lining of the supply channel is not more than double of all the external cross-sectional areas of all the ducts that are in the supply channel; preferably not more than 1.8-times, more preferably not more than 1.5-times and most preferably not more than 1.2-times the entire external cross-sectional area of all the conduits in the supply channel.

In a preferred embodiment of the two container variant, the supply channel is already pre-assembled, with the ducts contained, in one of the two containers. The corresponding connections in the second container are also previously assembled. After installation at the target site, the supply channel has to move only outside the said container and connect to the second container. In this case it is possible that the pipes are connected with thread connections that can be handled in a hermetic but simple way. Of course it is also conceivable that certain components (such as the lining of the supply channel) are riveted at the target site. The specialist knows many possibilities to allow simple and secure connections at the target site

To increase the safety of the plant, in certain embodiments of the present invention, an ethylene oxide sensor can also be found in the supply channel through which the ethylene oxide content can be monitored in the supply channel.

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According to another embodiment of a variant of two containers or also of several containers with supply channel it is preferred if the lining of the supply channel or the internal space of the supply channel enclosed by it is added to the ventilation equipment of the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide according to the invention, that is to say it is a part thereof. Therefore, not only the functional connections between the technical components in different containers (for example the steam generator and the sterilization chamber) are produced through the supply channel, but the linked container is ventilated at the same time. This saves not only space but also increases security since at the same time the supply channel is of course also ventilated.

Therefore, the components at risk of explosion of the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant are distributed not only over different spaces but also together in one or several metal containers, but preferably in a metal container. The components at risk of explosion of the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant are the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the ethylene oxide sterilization plant can also comprise an exhaust gas purification equipment to eliminate toxic ethylene oxide, which also belongs to the components at risk of explosion of the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide. It is understood by sf that the necessary conduits that join together the components at risk of explosion of the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide are also at risk of explosion.

Therefore, the components at risk of explosion of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant, according to one embodiment, include the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator, the oxide tank of ethylene, the exhaust gas purification equipment as well as the conduits that carry gas and connect these components.

The present invention therefore also relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, comprising a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, a humidification device and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are housed in at least one metal container and in which case the components in Explosion risk is inside a metal container.

The metal container or metal containers of the present invention are preferably standardized metal containers, also referred to as maintenance containers or cargo containers.

According to another embodiment, therefore, the present invention is also directed to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be passed, which comprises a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, a ethylene oxide tank, a control, a humidification equipment and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are housed in at least one metal container, in which case the at least one metal container is a mantimo container (or a cargo container).

A standard that establishes the dimensions of cargo containers is, for example, ISO 668, now removed, from 1975. Containers that follow this standard are also called ISO containers. In Germany there is also DIN 15190 to establish the dimensions of cargo containers.

Correspondingly, throughout the world, container lengths are preferred, and preferred according to the invention: 6,058 m, 7,150 m, 7,315 m, 7,430 m, 7,450 m, 7,820 m, 8,100 m, 9,125 m, 12,192 m , 12,500 m, 13,106 m, 13,600 m, 13,716 m, 14,630 m, 14,935 m and 16,154 m. However, container lengths of 6,058 m, 12,192 m, 13,716m and 16,154 m are preferred. The side of the container (respectively of the metal container) that is defined by the length is also called the longitudinal side. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention it is preferred when the container of the invention (preferably a metal container) is 11,340 m long.

Analogously, the widths of the current and preferred containers worldwide according to the invention are 2,438 m, 2,500 m, 2,550 m and 2,591 m. The side of the container (respectively of the metal container) that is defined by the width is also called the transverse side. According to another embodiment of the present invention it is preferred if the container of the invention (preferably a metal container) has a width of 2,658 m.

Similarly, the heights of current and preferred containers worldwide according to the invention are 2,438 m, 2,591 m, 2,743 m and 2,895 m. According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred if the container of the invention (preferably a metal container) has a height of 2.71 m or a height of 3.00 m.

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Accordingly, according to the invention it is preferred if the metal container or the metal containers are metal containers with a minimum length of 6 m, a minimum width of 2.4 m and a minimum height of 2.4 m.

In the context of the present invention, it is particularly preferred when the metal container or metal containers are standardized metal containers that are selected from the group consisting of "20-ft-container (small)" (6,058 mx 2,438 mx 2,438 m), "20 -ft-container "(6,058 mx 2,438 mx 2,591 m)," 20- ft-container HC "(6,058 mx 2,438 mx 2,896 m)," 30-ft-container (small) "(9,125 mx 2,438 mx 2,438 m), "30-ft-container" (9, l25 mx 2,438 mx 2,591 m), "40-ft-container (small)" (12,192 mx 2,438 mx 2,438 m), "40-ft-container" (12,192 mx 2,438 mx 2,591 m), "40-ft-container hC" (12,192 mx 2,438 mx 2,896 m), "45-ft-container HC" (13,716 mx 2,438 mx 2,896 m), "45-ft-container PW" (13,716 mx 2, 49 mx 2,591 m) and "53-ft-container HC" (16,154 mx 2,591 mx 2,896 m). According to another embodiment of the present invention it is preferred when the container of the invention (preferably a metal container) has a length of 11,340 m, a width of 2,658 m and a height of 2.71 m. According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred when the container of the invention (preferably a metal container) has a length of 12.19 m, a width of 2.43 m and a height of 3.00 m.

In the denomination of the containers "HC" represents a variant of the highest usual container (the so-called variant "high cube"), while "PW" ("pallet wide") represents a variant of the usual container wider and adapted to the width of the pales.

As defined above, the dimensional data of length, width and height of the containers are external dimensions (when something different is not mentioned).

On this site it can be made clear that even in the normalized dimensions a measurement tolerance of +/- 10 mm is stored.

The empty weight of the suitable containers according to the invention, as well as their internal volumes, depend of course not only on the indicated external dimensions but also on the material and the wall thickness of the container coating. As a coarse indicative value, the usual "20-ft-containers" have an empty weight between 2.0 t and 3.0 t and an internal volume of approximately 33 m3, the "20-ft-containers HC" have an empty weight between 2 , 2 t and 3.4 t and an internal volume of approximately 37 m3, the "40-ft-containers" have an empty weight between 3.8 t and 5 t and an internal volume of approximately 67.5 m3, the "40-ft- HC containers "have an empty weight between 4 t and 8 t, mainly between 6 t and 7 t and an internal volume of approximately 76 m3, the" 45-ft-containers HC "have an empty weight between 4.4 t and 8 t and an internal volume of approximately 86 m3, the "45-ft-containers PW" have an empty weight between 4.4 t and 8 t and an internal volume of approximately 79 m3v the "53-ft-containers HC" have an empty weight between 5 t and 9 ty an internal volume of approximately 109 m3

The term "container volume", as used herein, refers to (abandonment is mentioned somewhat differently, to the internal volume and thus can be used in an equivalent manner with the term "internal container volume". On this site It should also be clarified that the internal volume of the container only takes into account the volume that is enclosed by the coating of the container, that is, it does not consider the volume that is occupied within the container, for example, by the components of the sterilization plant (for example the vacuum pump.) For this purpose, an example is considered a sterilization plant according to the invention in the form of a "40-ft-container" (12,192 mx 2,438 mx 2,591 m). This "40-ft-container" Exemplary has the internal dimensions 12,032 mx 2,352 mx 2,385 m and therefore according to the previous definition it has a fair internal volume of 67.5 m3, regardless of how many components of the sterilization plant it is in installed in the container.

According to another embodiment of the present invention it is preferred if the container of the invention (preferably a metal container) as internal dimensions has a length of 11,340 m, a width of 2,658 m and a height of 2,710 m.

The sterilization chamber in the case of the variant of a container preferably has an internal volume of at least 5.0 m3, more preferably of at least 10.0 m3, still more preferably of at least 15.0 m3, even more preferably of at least 20 m3, more preferably of at least 25 m3, even more preferably of at least 30.0 m3, more preferably of at least 35.0 m3, more preferably of at least 40.0 m3 and more preferably of at least 45.0 m3. The previously mentioned values are preferably valid for a "40-ft-container HC" and a "45-ft-container PW" and in the case of a "20-ft-container" they can be reduced by half accordingly.

In other words, the sterilization chamber in the case of a container variant preferably has an internal volume of at least 5% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably of at least 7% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably at least

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9% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably of at least 10% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably of at least 12% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably of at least 15% of the internal volume of the metal container , more preferably at least 18% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably at least 20% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably at least 25% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably at least 30% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably of at least 35% of the internal volume of the metal container, more preferably of at least 40% of the internal volume of the metal container.

The sterilization chamber in the case of the variant of the containers or of a variant with several containers preferably has an internal volume of at least, more preferably of at least 30.0 m3, more preferably of at least 32.0 m3, more preferably at least 35.0 m3, more preferably at least 38.0 m3, more preferably at least 40.0 m3, more preferably at least 45.0 m3, more preferably at least 50.0 m3, more preferably at least 55.0 m3, more preferably at least 60.0 m3 The values mentioned above are preferably valid for a "40-ft-container HC" and a "45-ft-container PW" and in the case of a "20-ft-container" are halved correspondingly.

In other words, the sterilization chamber in the case of the variant of two containers or a variant with several containers preferably has an internal volume of at least 35% of the internal volume of the metal container, where the sterilization chamber is located, more preferably at least 38%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 42%, more preferably at least 45%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 55%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70% of the internal volume of the metal container where the sterilization chamber is located.

According to another embodiment, the present invention also relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, in which case the sterilization chamber in the variant of a container has an internal volume of at least 5% of the internal volume of the metal container or the sterilization chamber in the case of the two container variant has an internal volume of the internal volume of the metal container at least 35% of the internal volume of the metal container where the chamber is located of sterilization.

The total weight of a container as part of the sterilization plant of the invention does not depend of course only on the characteristics of the container but also on how many components are installed in the container.

If, due to the dimensions of the Sterilization Chamber and / or the other components of the sterilization plant it is necessary to modify the size of the container, then the container may deviate from the normalized dimensions. This can be applied, for example, in a two-container variant of the sterilization plant according to the invention for the container with the sterilization chamber. The dimensions for such a non-standardized container with a sterilization chamber comprising a sterilization chamber for 16 pales (a "16-pallet sterilization chamber") can be, for example, 12.88m x 2.75m x 3 , 29m. The weight of a non-standardized container that includes a 16-pallet sterilization chamber is between 20 t and 30 t, mainly between 25 t and 27 t. When standardized measurements are not used, in certain embodiments it may be necessary to disassemble the components in the transport container so that the container transport form corresponds to the standard. Then, it is preferred here if the components concerned for transport can be "provisionally stored" in the container. This mainly applies to rolling doors and their lining or for ventilation equipment, which are installed externally in a standardized container.

However, it is particularly preferred when the previously assembled sterilization plant is installed in one or more standardized containers and the standardized dimensions do not exceed even in the previously assembled state.

These standardized containers have, thanks to standardization, the great advantage that the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide (stationary after installation at the destination site) is fully incorporated into the standardized containers and in this state it can be transported with little effort by truck, train or ship. Preferably, for the ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention, containers with the so-called ISO corners are used, which makes possible a simple connection with the usual transport systems (container bridges, low truck platform, cranes, etc. .) or even with other containers and therefore transport and storage are simplified and also made safer. When they arrive at the destination site, the standardized containers then only need to be connected with the external ducts without the individual components of the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, respectively, requiring an installation. This is above all a huge advantage if sterilization plants with ethylene oxide, stationary, to emerging countries such as, for example, India, South America or some Asian states such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, are supplied.

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Thailand or similar, where each installation on the site requires the presence of foreign mechanics and technicians due to the shortage of specialists.

By the term "stationary" ethylene oxide sterilization plant it should be understood that it cannot be transported by hand by individual persons or a group of people between 2 and 10 due to its size and weight. This is in contrast to the mobile sterilization plants of the state of the art.

This term "stationary" does not exclude, of course that before the final installation at the destination site the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide can be transported in at least one container and preferably in the at least one mantimo container, but precisely only by going to the help of heavy machinery that is adapted for large loads of this type, such as cranes. Exactly in this combination of the features is the great advantage of the sterilization plant with stationary ethylene oxide according to the invention. On the one hand, the ethylene oxide sterilization plant, up to the external connections, is completely pre-assembled in the at least one container and preferably in the at least one mantil container, and on the other hand the sterilization plant with Ethylene oxide according to the invention is in a housing, more precisely at least one metal container and preferably at least one mantle container, so that transport can be carried out even by distant paths in an immediate, simple and economical way. At the destination site, the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant does not have to be complicated to assemble, but only needs to be connected to the outside pipes, that is, the external connections and is ready for operation. Therefore, the equipment for delivery of the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant is identical to the housing for the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant because the metal container and preferably the standardized mantimo container assumes both tasks.

Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that at least the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are in a standardized metal container and preferably in a standardized mantimo container.

In the case where a sterilization chamber as large as possible is desired, another embodiment of the present invention relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, which is housed in two standardized metal containers and preference two containers we keep normalized. In this embodiment, which in part is also called a variant of two containers, in a (first) metal container at least the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank, and the chamber of Sterilization is housed in a (second) metal container so that the maximum space, more precisely the space of a metal container and preferably a standardized container, is available for the sterilization chamber. In this first metal container, humidification equipment, ventilation equipment, chamber heating and / or exhaust gas purification equipment can be additionally contained.

Therefore, the present invention is also directed to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, comprising a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, humidification equipment and a sterilization chamber, in which case the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are housed in a first metal container and the sterilization chamber in a second metal container .

Therefore, if the size of the sterilization chamber is still not sufficient, it can deviate from the standard size for the sterilization chamber container or, in another preferred embodiment of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant, stationary according to the invention, it can be provided that at least the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are housed in a first standardized container (preferably a metal container) and this first container (preferably a metal container ) a non-standardized container or two or more standardized metal containers can be connected, in which case sterilization chambers are provided respectively so that the space available for sterilization can be doubled by a third metal container, and can be tripled by a fourth metal container and It can be enlarged X times by a (X-1) metal container.

Since, therefore, within the metal container or metal containers is the space at risk of explosion, the control of the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide is preferably carried out from outside the metal container. The control or control device for the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide is advantageously installed outside the at least one metal container or externally in the metal container. In this case it is preferred that the control be passed in a depression or indentation in the container liner in such a way that it is accessible to service personnel from the outside but does not protrude over the container liner. In addition, the control can be closed by a cover or a door, so the control during transport and after installing the plant is not subjected to environmental difficulties. If, on the contrary, the control is housed in the metal container, then it is preferably in an area (also

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called control space) spatially separated within the metal container. If two or more standardized metal containers are used, then in the first standardized metal container there are at least the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank and optionally the humidification equipment, the control (also called control equipment) and the heating of the chamber. In the other standardized container or in the other standardized containers are sterilization chambers. Also, outside the metal container or metal containers, the exhaust gas purification equipment can be found.

According to another embodiment, therefore, the present invention also relates to a stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which the control (of the stationary sterilization plant with oxide of ethylene, through which it can be traveled) is located outside the at least one metal container or is installed externally in the at least one metal container.

In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention also relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, in which the control (of the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, by which can be transited) is installed in a spatially separated area within the at least one metal container.

The "chamber heating" serves to heat the sterilization chamber during the sterilization procedure at the desired operating temperature. The specialist knows of the state of the art numerous possible ways of carrying out a heating chamber of this type for sterilization plants. The possible ways of carrying out the heating of the chamber in the present invention comprise, but are not limited to: hot water systems, hot air based systems, as well as systems with other means capable of conducting heat (for example oils) .

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust gas purification equipment is, however, within the metal container or metal containers of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant.

"Exhaust gas purification equipment" or "EO removal" refers to equipment that serves to decontaminate toxic gaseous mixtures that occur during the sterilization procedure and contain ethylene oxide, so that they can purge without risk to the environment. According to some embodiments, the exhaust gas purification equipment is attached to the ford pump that is in connection with the sterilization chamber. After sterilization, therefore, ethylene oxide is extracted from the sterilization chamber by means of the ford pump and is directed to the exhaust gas purification equipment. According to some embodiments, it is possible that the exhaust gas purification equipment is outside the metal container of the sterilization plant according to the invention. However, it is particularly preferred when the exhaust gas purification equipment is inside the metal container of the sterilization plant according to the invention. In this case it is possible for the exhaust gas purification equipment to drive out the purified and liberated exhaust gases of ethylene oxide. However, it is also conceivable that the outlet for purified exhaust gases, connected with the ventilation equipment of the metal container in the exhaust gas purification equipment and, therefore, purified exhaust gases are transported by the equipment of ventilation outside the container. Some embodiments of the exhaust gas purification equipment for eliminating ethylene oxide comprise an equipment for thermal purification of the exhaust gas (torch), an equipment for catalytic combustion, a chemical scrubber or filtering equipment.

Therefore, the present invention is directed to a stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, which comprises a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control , a humidification equipment and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are housed in at least one metal container, in which case a stationary plant of sterilization with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, also includes an exhaust gas purification equipment and a chamber heating, in which case the exhaust gas purification equipment the chamber heating is within the Less a metal container.

Therefore, the present invention is also directed to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, comprising a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, a humidification equipment, a sterilization chamber, an exhaust gas purification equipment and a chamber heating, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator, the oxide oxide tank ethylene, exhaust gas purification equipment and chamber heating are housed in at least one metal container.

Therefore, the present invention is also directed to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, comprising a ford pump, an oxide evaporator

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of ethylene, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, a humidification equipment, a sterilization chamber, an exhaust gas purification equipment and a chamber heating, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator, ethylene oxide tank, exhaust gas purification equipment and chamber heating are housed in at least one metal container and also comprise tubenas between the sterilization chamber and the ford pump, between the ford pump and the exhaust gas purification equipment, between the sterilization chamber and the ethylene oxide evaporator, between the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank as well as between the sterilization chamber and The humidification team.

The housing of the components at risk of explosion of the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide in a metal container (preferably in a standardized metal container) also has the advantage that the plant can be previously mounted in this metal container, the metal container The complete assembly is delivered from the producer to the customer and ad the final assembly can be carried out ostensibly more simply because only the connections and deviations corresponding to the metal container or metal containers have to be made, but the sterilization plant is already finally assembled in the metal container So that the installation is simplified on the site. No additional pipeline system work is necessary between components at risk of explosion of the sterilization plant on site. In addition, the process conduction tubenas are shortened since all the relevant components are close together in at least one metal container and are no longer spatially separated. In order to configure an installation on the site as simple as possible, the control equipment for the EO sterilization plant, as well as the ventilation equipment and humidification equipment can also be arranged inside the metal container in which The ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are found and are preferably separated by a spatial separation of the other components of the EO sterilization plant. In certain embodiments of the variant of a container, the spatial separation within the metal container, which spatially separates the sterilization chamber, the ventilation equipment and the humidification equipment from the other components of the sterilization plant with oxide of ethylene, is configured in a way that is not necessarily safe against explosions. In other preferred embodiments, however, it is preferred if this spatial separation is also configured securely against explosions.

The ethylene oxide tank is preferably an ethylene oxide gas cylinder (EO gas cylinders) or an ethylene oxide container (EO container). A gas cylinder that fits in dimensions and fills the sterilization chamber used or used in each case in a specific manner and contains a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide to generate the concentration of ethylene oxide necessary for sterilization in the sterilization is preferred. 400-800 g / m3 sterilization chamber For a 16-chamber sterilization chamber ("16-chamber sterilization chamber"), the necessary amount of ethylene oxide is, for example, 1530 kg, mainly 20-25 kg A gas bottle with ethylene oxide can be connected as well as several. In this case, the content of the individual gas cylinder with ethylene oxide may include sufficient ethylene oxide for several sterilization cycles, although one-time filling is preferred; that is, for each sterilization cycle the content of a whole gas cylinder with ethylene oxide is used.

Typical fabrications of gas cylinders that can be used in the context of the present invention comprise gas cylinders with a volume of 10 L, 12 L, 20 L, 27 L, 33 L, 40 L, 47 L, 50 L or 75 L For the storage of ethylene oxide, gas cylinders made of steel or stainless steel are usually used.

Another advantage is that incidents (mainly leaks) are limited spatially by means of the at least one metal container. By means of the control preferably placed outside in the metal container, which indicates the state of the sterilization plant together with the components at risk of explosion, the risk to personnel is minimized. Entry into at least one metal container is allowed, for example, only when there is no immediate risk. The disposition of the components at risk of explosion of the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide also has the advantage that during the current operation a monitoring of the various spaces is no longer necessary (EO weighing space, evaporator space of EO, sterilization zone). The monitoring of the internal space of the container or of the internal spaces of the container or of the ventilation of these spaces is sufficient and is preferably integrated into the control of the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide. Additionally, control of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant can take over surveillance of access areas (doors) and unlock a sterilization cycle start only if all the doors are closed and the ventilation equipment is in operation. These measures guarantee controlled environmental conditions for the sterilization plant.

Accordingly, according to another embodiment, the present invention is also directed to a stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide can be traversed, by which it can be transited, it also includes ethylene oxide sensors for monitoring the concentration of ethylene oxide in the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, as well as a system to control the state

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of opening the accesses to the sterilization chamber, and in which case the ethylene oxide sensors and the system for controlling the state of opening of the accesses to the sterilization chamber are connected to the control.

Figure 1 shows a very simplified schematic structure of a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention comprising a ford pump (5), an ethylene oxide evaporator (4), an ethylene oxide tank (3), a control or control device (6), a humidification equipment (7) in the form of a steam generator (7a), indispensable tubenas (8) and a sterilization chamber (2). The components at risk of explosion comprising the sterilization chamber (2), the ford pump (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and the ethylene oxide tank (3) are housed in the metal container ( 1) or maintenance container. The control or control device (6) for the sterilization plant as well as the humidification equipment (7) are arranged outside the metal container (1).

Compulsively by means of tubenas (8) inside the metal container (1) the ethylene oxide tank (3) is joined with the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and this in turn with the sterilization chamber (2). The sterilization chamber (2) is also joined by tubenas (8) inside the metal container (1) with at least one ford pump (5). As shown in Figure 1, the at least one steam generator (7a) or the at least one humidification equipment (7) can be located outside the metal container (1), but can also be arranged inside the metal container (one). Also corresponding tubenas pass between the humidification equipment (7) and the sterilization chamber (2). The humidification equipment (7) is preferably a steam generator (7a). If the steam generator (7a) is located outside the metal container (1), then the pipe between the steam generator (7a) and the sterilization chamber (2) passes through the container liner. In addition, there is a conduit for chamber heating; This can be arranged both in the metal container (1), as well as outside. If it is arranged outside, the tubena between the sterilization chamber (2) and chamber heating (for example a hot water system) is a second tubena that passes through the coating of the container. As a third conduit that passes through the coating of the container is the conduit from the ford pump (5) to the exhaust gas purification equipment (14). The exhaust gas purification equipment (14) is preferably arranged outside the system, but may also be disposed within the metal container (1).

Figure 4 shows a schematic structure of a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention in a possible variant of a container, comprising a ford pump (5), an ethylene oxide evaporator (4), an ethylene oxide tank (3), a control or a control device (6), a humidification equipment (7) in the form of a steam generator (7a), indispensable tubenas (8) and a sterilization chamber ( 2). The components at risk of explosion comprising the sterilization chamber (2), the ford pump (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and the ethylene oxide tank (3) are housed in the metal container (1) respectively the mantimo container. The control or control device (6) for the sterilization plant, as well as the humidification equipment (7) are also arranged inside the metal container (1) and preferably in a spatially separated area within the metal container (1).

Compulsively, by means of tubenas (8) inside the metal container (1) the ethylene oxide tank (3) is joined with the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and this in turn with the sterilization chamber (2) . The sterilization chamber (2) is also connected by tubenas (8) inside the metal container (1) with at least one ford pump (5). As shown in Figure 4, the at least one steam generator (7a) and the at least one humidification equipment (7) can also be found inside the metal container (1). Also, between the humidification equipment (7) and the sterilization chamber (2), corresponding pipes pass inside the metal container (1). The humidification equipment (7) is preferably a steam generator (7a).

The chamber heating can also be housed in the metal container (1). Then, a conduit passes between the chamber heating and the sterilization chamber (2) inside the metal container (1). A conduit that passes through the container liner is the conduit from the ford pump (5) to the exhaust gas purification equipment (14). The exhaust gas purification equipment (14) is preferably arranged outside the system, but may also be disposed within the metal container (1). In addition to the variant of an already mentioned container of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention, according to the invention, variants of two containers or even several containers are also preferred. Its advantage goes beyond the already discussed enlargement of the volume of the available sterilization chamber and resides particularly in the modular character of such a plant.

Therefore, the present invention also relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traveled, which comprises a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control , a humidification equipment and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are housed in at least two metal containers, in which case the plant Stationary sterilization with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traversed, represents a modular system. The term "modular system" is used herein in an equivalent manner to the term "module system."

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Therefore, the present invention also relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, in configuration of a modular system comprising a first metal container containing a ford pump, an oxide evaporator of ethylene, an ethylene oxide tank, a control and a humidification equipment (and optionally a ventilation equipment, a chamber heating and / or an exhaust gas purification equipment) as well as at least one other metal container containing a sterilization chamber, in which case the first metal container is capable of connecting with other metal containers variable in their size, which contain a sterilization chamber.

From the embodiment already described before a variant of two containers of the present invention, in which in a first metal container are housed at least one ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an oxide tank of ethylene, a control and a humidification equipment (and depending on the embodiment, optionally additionally a ventilation equipment, a chamber heating and an exhaust gas purification equipment), while in a second container If a sterilization chamber is housed, it is possible that the first metal container (also called here as a control container) can be combined with a second metal container (also known as a sterilization container) of a very different size, which contains the sterilization chamber . Depending on the user's needs, the control container may be combined, for example, with a sterilization container in the form of a "20-ft-container" or even with a sterilization container in the form of a "40-ft-container" . This is of enormous advantage for the user. He can send not only his sterilization plant adapted to the needs, but, in the case of a modification of his demand, he can also adjust the plant to the circumstances by exchanging, for example, the sterilization container, without having to exchange the whole floor In the case of an increased demand for sterile products, it is possible, for example, to exchange a small sterilization container for a larger sterilization container, while maintaining the control container. In the case of a decrease in demand, on the contrary, a large sterilization container can be exchanged for a smaller sterilization container, while maintaining the control container, so that unnecessary waste of materials can be prevented (for example due to high consumption of ethylene oxide in the case of a camera that is too large) and with this unnecessary costs. Therefore, it is preferred when the connections between the control container and the sterilization container are reversible, that is, for example, they are not welded but screwed or screwed.

With the effort already described (heavy machines for transport) it is relatively simple, for example, to exchange individual containers between different sites without having to acquire new plants in this case.

The term "control container", as used herein, designates in a variant of two containers or several containers of the present invention the container comprising at least the control of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant, and It can be applied exclusively to embodiments in which the sterilization chamber as well as the control of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant are housed in different containers. The control can also be placed in this case in the control container and does not necessarily have to be in it.

The term "sterilization container", as used herein, designates in a variant of two containers or several containers of the present invention the container containing at least the sterilization chamber of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant and can be applied exclusively to embodiments in which the sterilization chamber as well as the control of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant are housed in different containers. In this case, the control can also be placed in the control container and does not necessarily have to be in it.

In the case of the combination of different containers in a modular system it is naturally important that the connections available between the containers (for example from the ethylene oxide evaporator in the control container to the sterilization chamber in the sterilization container) are they configure in such a way that they are compatible with all the offered variants of container of a modular system, that is to say that they adapt between sr

As described above, it is also possible, of course, in such a modular system to combine a control container with two or even more sterilization containers (possibly of different sizes). In a sterilization plant with ethylene oxide consisting of three or more containers, there is also talk of a "variant of several containers" of the present invention. By adding another sterilization container to the sterilization containers already present, the volume available for sterilization in a sterilization chamber can be increased and adapted to current needs. In this way, a control container can control a variable amount of sterilization containers without being retrofitted or exchanged. A flexible, modular and economical structure of this type of a passable sterilization plant is not known in the state of the art and is of great advantage above all for the industry in emerging countries that begin to produce and sterilize medical products with means own limited and after some time they already collide with the limits of the sterilization plant. The system

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Modular described herein makes possible an economical and uncomplicated consolidation of an existing two-container sterilization plant, without having to scrap the entire plant and replace it with a new one.

For this purpose several technical conversions are possible that can also be combined in many ways between sn In this way, for example, in the case of a modular "variant of several containers", the control container can have connections for several sterilization containers. These can be found, for example, in different sites of the control container. Thus, for example, it is possible that a control container is arranged in a sterilization plant with ethylene oxide already mounted in the center, while a sterilization container is located on its left side and on its right side respectively. Of course other arrangements are also possible.

But it is also possible that in the case of a modular "multi-container variant", a sterilization container can be connected not only with the control container but also with one or several other sterilization containers so that finally the control container It joins directly only with a sterilization container which, together with the other sterilization containers connected to it, represents a type of system or continuous sterilization container. Thus, for example, it is possible that in a mounted sterilization plant with ethylene oxide a control container is arranged on the left, while on its right side is a sterilization container which in turn is attached to its side right with another sterilization container. Of course, other arrangements are also possible.

According to the invention, of course it is also conceivable that these two module variants are combined with each other. Thus, for example, it is possible that a control container is arranged in a center mounted with ethylene oxide sterilization, while a sterilization container is located on its left side and two sterilization containers are located on its right side united between sf. Of course, other arrangements are also possible.

In the case of "variants of several modular containers" of this type, in which the control container and / or the sterilization container have connections for several other containers, according to the invention it is preferred if these connections can be operated in each case optionally. This can mean on the one hand that the connections can be sealed tightly so that, for example, if only one connection can also be used in a control container with several connections, while the other unused connections (momentarily) remain closed hermetically.

It is also preferred when in the "variants of several containers" in which the control container and / or the sterilization container have connections for several other containers, equipment for electronically controlled closure of the conduit (eg valves is present in the ducts) ) which can be controlled by controlling the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide. This makes it possible, for example, in a modular system of a control container and, for example, two sterilization containers, which if necessary only one of the two sterilization containers can be used despite an existing connection.

In these modular systems the exchange of a small sterilization container for a larger sterilization container (with a larger sterilization chamber) means of course that the demand for ethylene oxide per sterilization cycle is increased but also that the required power Vacuum pump, humidification equipment, ventilation equipment, etc. It is the highest for a smaller sterilization container. In these modular systems, therefore, it is preferred when in the control container the technical components (for example the vacuum pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator, the ventilation equipment, the humidification equipment, the purification equipment exhaust gas) are constructed and sized and are provided with sufficient storage space and connections for ethylene oxide tanks or ethylene oxide cylinders large enough or sufficient, that sterilization chambers of different sizes can be operated (or several sterilization chambers joined together sf). This has, of course, the advantage that the maintenance work required continuously (first of all the exchange of emptied ethylene oxide tanks) is preferably limited to a container, namely the control container. That is, a system is created in which the sterilization plant comprises a sterilization container that does not exhaust the maximum capacity of the control container, so that it is present, for example, ethylene oxide for more than one sterilization process, while when the capacity of the control container is completely depleted, only sufficient ethylene oxide is present for a sterilization process.

In the case of a defined size of a control container, of course limits are established for the variability and expansion of the volume of the sterilization chamber.

Another embodiment according to the invention of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant is, therefore, that the supply of ethylene oxide (ie the ethylene oxide tank, the ethylene oxide evaporator and also the ducts between the ethylene oxide tank and the ethylene oxide evaporator as well as

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between the ethylene oxide evaporator and the sterilization chamber) is also contained in the sterilization container and adapts to the volume of its sterilization chamber. This increases, however, the continually necessary maintenance work since these extend to several containers, but allows greater variability since each sterilization container has its own supply of ethylene oxide (but controlled by the control in the container of control).

Another embodiment according to the invention of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant is that both the supply of ethylene oxide (ie the ethylene oxide tank, the ethylene oxide evaporator and also the conduits between the tank of ethylene oxide and the ethylene oxide evaporator, as well as between the ethylene oxide evaporator and the sterilization chamber) as well as the discard of the ethylene oxide (i.e. the ford pump and the gas purification equipment of exhaust and also the ducts between the sterilization chamber and the ford pump as well as between the ford pump and the exhaust gas purification equipment) are also contained in the sterilization container and adapt to the volume of your sterilization chamber . That is, in this case the container or sterilization containers of the modular system include all components at risk of explosion of the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide according to the invention, which increases, together with the high variability of the system, also the security of service personnel in control.

Another embodiment, according to the invention, of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant is that both the supply of ethylene oxide (ie the ethylene oxide tank, the ethylene oxide evaporator and also the conduits between the ethylene oxide tank and the ethylene oxide evaporator as well as between the ethylene oxide evaporator and the sterilization chamber) as well as the discarding of ethylene oxide (i.e. the ford pump and purification equipment of exhaust gas and also the conduits between the sterilization chamber and the ford pump as well as between the ford pump and the exhaust gas purification equipment) and the humidification equipment are also contained in the sterilization container and are adapted to the volume of your sterilization chamber.

A further embodiment according to the invention of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant is that both the supply of ethylene oxide (ie the ethylene oxide tank, the ethylene oxide evaporator and also the conduits between the tank of ethylene oxide and the ethylene oxide evaporator as well as between the ethylene oxide evaporator and the sterilization chamber) as well as the discarding of ethylene oxide (i.e. the ford pump and the exhaust gas purification equipment and also the conduits between the sterilization chamber and the ford pump as well as between the ford pump and the exhaust gas purification equipment) and the humidification equipment and the chamber heating are also contained in the sterilization container and They are adapted to the volume of your sterilization chamber.

A further embodiment according to the invention of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant is that both the supply of ethylene oxide (ie the ethylene oxide tank, the ethylene oxide evaporator and also the conduits between the tank of ethylene oxide and the ethylene oxide evaporator as well as between the ethylene oxide evaporator and the sterilization chamber) as well as the discarding of ethylene oxide (i.e. the ford pump and the exhaust gas purification equipment and also the ducts between the sterilization chamber and the ford pump as well as between the ford pump and the exhaust gas purification equipment) and the humidification equipment, the chamber heating and the ventilation equipment are also contained in The sterilization container are adapted to the volume of your sterilization chamber.

In a particularly preferred modular variant of a multi-container sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, at least two sterilization containers are connected in series, that is, they are one behind the other. This plant can be expanded by other sterilization containers arranged in series. Moreover, in this case it is preferred when the containers arranged in series together form a common sterilization chamber, that is to say that the sterilization chambers of the individual sterilization containers are joined in a single sterilization chamber. This arrangement is mainly preferred for sterilization of large numbers of parts of the same product. In addition, in this case it is preferred when sterilization containers arranged in series can be ordered on one side and discharged on the opposite side. That is, it is preferred when the first sterilization container arranged in series can be loaded from the front side and the last sterilization container connected in series can be discharged from its rear side. In this case, it is also preferred when they can be moved through sterilization containers arranged in series on means for transport. This type of means can be rollers or conveyor belts or sliding ranges. This type of means for transporting which through the sterilization containers arranged in series is particularly preferred when the sterilization containers arranged in series are integrated in a production line. This in turn is especially preferred when sterilization containers arranged in series must be integrated in a continuous process, that is, the pallets with the products to be sterilized, continuously finished, meet as they then enter the sterilization chamber. or the sterilization chambers, then they are transported with the aid of the means of transport in the sterilization chamber or in the sterilization chambers and during the sterilization a corresponding amount of pales is gathered again before

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of the first sterilization container, which after emptying the sterilization chamber or sterilization chambers through the final sterilization container is transported at the same time through the first sterilization container in the sterilization chamber or the sterilization chambers. This results in a continuous sterilization procedure. By means of the dimensions and quantity of the sterilization containers arranged in series which can all be controlled and operated by the same control container, this plant is able to flexibly adjust to a variable volume of sterilization. In the previous embodiments, a single sterilization chamber is discussed when the sterilization chambers of the individual sterilization containers arranged in series have been joined in a single sterilization chamber and several sterilization chambers are discussed, although the sterilization chambers Individual individual containers arranged in series are operated simultaneously, but as individual sterilization chambers. Both variants are possible without a variant being preferred. All sterilization chambers that are going to be joined in a single one have the advantage of a simpler structure and easier control of the entire sterilization plant; on the contrary, the parallel operation of the individual sterilization chambers has the advantage of saving energy and chemical products when exceptionally not all sterilization chambers can be filled and, for example, 5 containers arranged in series with 5 chambers in total of sterilization, only two sterilization chambers are needed.

Another preferred embodiment is the parallel arrangement of several, but of at least 2 sterilization containers. This arrangement makes it possible to simultaneously sterilize various medical products, as well as different amounts of medical products, respectively, from pales. The parallel arrangement of the sterilization containers has the advantage that the sterilization containers can be operated independently of each other and with a different level of filling. With a plant of this type, various medical products can be sterilized simultaneously or over time, in which case this passable sterilization plant can also be integrated into a production line and individual sterilization chambers can also be operated continuously.

But the sterilization of different medicine products can also be achieved with sterilization containers arranged in series with separate sterilization chambers, that is, sterilization chambers of the individual sterilization containers not attached in a sterilization chamber, when the individual sterilization chambers can be loaded with different products and controlled separately.

Another common aspect of the present invention relates to the amount of access in the metal container or metal containers for service personnel or for the products to be sterilized. The term "access", as used herein, represents a connection usually capable of closing between the internal space of the container and the external environment, through which the service personnel of the sterilization plant can access to the container It is preferred when these accesses are capable of sealing in a gas-tight manner.

As already mentioned, the ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention in the form of a container can be subdivided into at least two compartments, the sterilization chamber itself as a compartment and another compartment which can also be referred to as "technical space ", in which the other technical components of the plant are housed (such as the vacuum pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator, the ethylene oxide tank, the control, the humidification equipment, the ventilation equipment) . These compartments can be distributed in one or more containers (preferably metal containers), as already described. Both compartments have to be accessible, of course, from outside so that the sterilization chamber can be loaded and empty gas cylinders can be exchanged in the technical space or maintenance work can be performed. Accordingly, the ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention has at least two accesses: at least one to the Sterilization Chamber and at least one to the technical space. In the variant of a container these are at least two accesses in a container, in the variants of two or more containers these accesses can be distributed in different containers. It is also possible that these accesses are also monitored by means of the control of the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, that is to say the position of the access or of the door (that is open or closed), or the consultation and doors control to the sterilization chamber container are closed to guarantee an efficient air flow inside the container and minimize a risk for the personnel, that is to say that a plant start is only possible when there are no people in the risk zone. If another compartment is included within the technical space that includes the control of the sterilization plant, then this compartment (also called the control space) can be reached through a separate and therefore third access. This has the advantage, for example, that in case of an irregularity, for example in the ethylene oxide evaporator, the service personnel can by the control space accessible separately or can execute an emergency program. According to the variant of a container, it is particularly preferred when access to the sterilization chamber is on one of the transverse sides of the container, while the access to the technical or control space is on one of the longitudinal sides. of the container In the variants of two containers, the accesses are also arranged in such a way that they are also accessible after the functional connection of both containers, that is preferably not on the sides of the container that lie directly in front after the connection.

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As already mentioned, the sterilization chamber has to be necessarily accessible from the outside, of course, so that it can be loaded and unloaded. Here it is preferred when the access is on the transverse side of the metal container and also the access extends essentially throughout the entire width of the sterilization chamber. This saves unnecessary shifting maneuvers when loading and unloading the cameras and therefore increases the efficiency of the logistics. The term "essentially for the entire width of the sterilization chamber", as used herein means that the width of the access opening (respectively the door opening) to the sterilization chamber is no more than 20%. , preferably 18%, preferably 15%, still more preferably 12%, even more preferably 10%, still more preferably 8% and more preferably 5% smaller than the inner side of the sterilization chamber in which the concerned access

According to the invention, it is particularly preferred when the sterilization chamber has two accesses which are also preferably opposite. Two accesses are advantageous for loading the sterilization chamber with the goods to be sterilized because thus the sterilization chamber can be loaded on one side and unloaded on the other side. This makes it possible, for example, during the installation of the sterilization plant of the invention in a system complex or in a storage facility complex, the loading and unloading of the sterilization chamber can be spatially separated in a similar manner that in the case of a security door. This not only has advantages for the defense of the sterility of the products, but, apart from that, it can have enormous logistical advantages.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metal container has two accesses to the sterilization chamber that are located on opposite sides of the container, particularly preferably on two transverse sides of the container. In this way it is possible to integrate the sterilization chamber into an automatic pallet transport system, so that in the first access the sterilization chamber is loaded with new pales that are to be sterilized and because of this the already sterilized pales are simultaneously displaced for the second access out. For this purpose, a device capable of connecting to a transport system of this type can be found in the sterilization chamber, such as passive or active conveyor rails or belts. Of course it is also possible (although not preferable) when the two accesses to the sterilization chamber are located in container sites located perpendicularly to each other.

Additionally, it is preferred when one or more emergency switches are located in the sterilization chamber of the present invention (preferably near the access or the accesses) so that people who are carelessly in the sterilization chamber, when the accesses they have closed, they disconnect the camera and they can leave safely.

It is also possible that the ventilation equipment is conceived in such a way that in case of the closed doors no longer be generated due to the ventilation equipment.

This facilitates the exit of the camera to the people locked up by carelessness. These ventilation openings of the ventilation equipment can preferably be integrated into the side wall or ceiling of the sterilization chamber.

The stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant preferably serves to sterilize medical products and more preferably to sterilize medical products in procedures with pales. Manual loading with individual medicine products in cardboard boxes is also fundamentally possible, in which case pales are preferably used.

Therefore, the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant is preferably a pallet sterilization plant, that is a stationary pallet sterilization plant with ethylene oxide.

The present invention therefore relates to a stationary sterilization plant of pales with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, which comprises a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, a humidification equipment and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator and the ethylene oxide tank are housed in at least one metal container.

In the stationary sterilization plant of pales, through which it can be traversed, and in the sterilization chamber, that is, in the metal container where the sterilization chamber is located and in the sterilization chamber itself, means are provided for transporting the pales This type of means can be rollers or conveyor belts or sliding cranes on which the blades move. The paddles preferably move with these means through the metal container along its longitudinal axis from side to side and through the sterilization chamber. Therefore, the metal container is loaded on one side and correspondingly discharged on the opposite side.

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According to another embodiment, therefore, the present invention also relates to a stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide can be traversed, by the which can be transited, is a sterilization plant of pales and in which case in the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be transited, and in the sterilization chamber means for transporting the pales are provided.

This movement of the pales through the metal container through the sterilization chamber makes possible a continuous operation of the stationary sterilization plant of pales with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traversed. This is first and foremost advantageous when the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which the stationary sterilization plant of pales with ethylene oxide can be traversed, through which it can be transited, is integrated into a production line. The goods that are going to be sterilized or the pales with the goods that are going to be sterilized move on the production line and then the sterilization plant also goes through its path. Therefore, it is preferred when the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, or the passable stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, is capable of being connected to a production line. Able to connect means in this context that the sterilization plant is capable of integrating into a production line, mainly an existing production line. This may require a particular configuration of the metal container to the extent that the connection means to the means for extracting the production tape in the metal container are provided.

Therefore, in accordance with another embodiment, the present invention also relates to a stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide can be passed through which can be transited, is able to connect to a production line and / or the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be transited, it is able to be operated continuously in run operation.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be transited, and more preferably to a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be transited , which comprises a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control, a humidification device and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the evaporator ethylene oxide and the ethylene oxide tank are housed in at least one metal container and the sterilization chamber in the case of the variant of a container has an internal volume of at least 5% of the internal volume of the metal container or chamber of sterilization in the case of the variant of two containers has an internal volume of at least 35% of the internal volume of the metal container, where it is found In the sterilization chamber. In this embodiment, the means for transporting the pales in the sterilization plant and in the sterilization chamber are also advantageous.

As already mentioned, the term "stationary" states that it is not a mobile sterilization plant with EO, but an industrial scale plant that is intended for sterilization of complete pales.

According to the invention, it is preferred when the sterilization chamber of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant can simultaneously accommodate at least 1 European, preferably at least 2 European, more preferably at least 4 European, more preferably at least 6 European, still more preferably at least 8 European, preferably at least 10 European, more preferably at least 12 European, more preferably at least 14 European, even more preferably at least 16 European, more preferably at least 18 European, and most preferably at least 20 European. In addition, a sterilization plant with ethylene oxide is conceivable whose sterilization chamber can simultaneously accommodate 36 Europeans (ie a full truck load).

According to the invention, an ethylene oxide sterilization plant is preferred in a variant of the container, that is to say an ethylene oxide sterilization plant comprising a vacuum pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an oxide tank of ethylene, a control, a humidification equipment and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber, the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator, the ethylene oxide tank and the humidification equipment are housed in a metal container and the control is placed in or on the same metal container.

Also preferred are a variant of a container that additionally includes a ventilation equipment and / or an exhaust gas purification equipment.

A still more preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, relates to an ethylene oxide sterilization plant comprising a ford pump, an ethylene oxide evaporator, an ethylene oxide tank, a control , a humidification equipment, a ventilation equipment, an exhaust gas purification equipment and a sterilization chamber, characterized in that the sterilization chamber,

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the ford pump, the ethylene oxide evaporator, the ethylene oxide tank, the humidification equipment, the ventilation equipment as well as the exhaust gas purification equipment are housed in a metal container and the control is placed in or on the same metal container.

An essential advantage of the variant of a container is the largely self-sufficiency of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant. All the essential components are already pre-assembled in a state for transport so that the sterilization plant with ethylene oxide after delivery to the destination site only has to be connected with minimal installation effort to the local power and water supply and equip with ethylene oxide tank. Complicated pipeline system work should no longer take place (particularly among components at risk of explosion). In addition, the plant is designed for improved safety and therefore does not need extensive re-equipment at the destination site.

As already mentioned several times, the ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention divides into at least two compartments which are the sterilization chamber itself and the technical space. In the variant of a container on the one hand it is possible to divide the container (preferably a standardized metal container) along a dividing line that passes parallel to the transverse side of the container in the sterilization chamber and the technical space. In this context there is also talk of a session along the transverse side. On the other hand, the container can be divided along a dividing line that passes the sterilization chamber and the technical space parallel to the longitudinal side of the container. In this context, there is also talk of a division along the longitudinal side.

If the division of the container (preferably of the standardized metal container) is carried out in a sterilization chamber and technical space along the transverse side of the container, then it is preferred when an access to the sterilization chamber is located on the transverse side of the container. that belongs to the sterilization chamber; when also the access to the sterilization chamber extends essentially throughout the entire width of the sterilization chamber. Another access to the sterilization chamber can be found on the longitudinal side of the container, in which case it is then preferred when this access is possibly close in the dividing line to the technical space, ie the distance between both accesses to the sterilization chamber. It is as big as possible. Of course, it is also conceivable that an access to the sterilization chamber is located respectively on each longitudinal side of the container (ie in the part of the longitudinal side that belongs to the sterilization chamber), in which case it is then preferred when accesses are directly in front. Access or access to the technical space can be found both on the transverse side of the container that belongs to the technical space, as well as on the longitudinal side of the container. If the division of the container is carried out in a sterilization chamber and technical space along the transverse side of the container, then it is also preferred when the internal volume of the sterilization chamber occupies 5%, preferably 7%, preferably 9%, preferably 10 %, preferably 12%, preferably 15%, preferably 18%, preferably 20%, preferably 25%, more preferably 30%, still more preferably 35% and most preferably 40% of the internal volume of the container.

If the division of the container (preferably of the standardized metal container) is carried out in a sterilization chamber and in technical space along the longitudinal side of the container, then it is preferred when an access to the sterilization chamber is respectively in the segment, which belongs to the sterilization chamber, of the two transverse sides of the container. In this case, it is particularly preferred when the accesses to the sterilization chamber essentially extend over the entire width of the sterilization chamber. An arrangement of this type with two accesses opposite to the sterilization chamber offers enormous logistical advantages as described above. Of course it is also possible that there is access to the sterilization chamber in which this is, however, less preferred.

Access by access to the technical space can be found in the segments of the transverse sides of the container that belong to the technical space. However, much more is preferred when the access to the technical space is on the longitudinal side of the container belonging to the technical space. If the division of the container into a sterilization chamber and technical space is carried out along the longitudinal side of the container, then it is also preferred when the internal volume of the sterilization chamber occupies 25%, preferably 27%, more preferably 30%, still more preferably 32%, more preferably 35%, more preferably 37% and most preferably 40% of the internal volume of the container. An important aspect in this case is, of course, that in a division of the container along the longitudinal side of the container the resulting width of the sterilization chamber is sufficient to accommodate at least one pale (in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction) . Therefore it is preferred when in a division of the container along the longitudinal side of the container, the resulting width of the sterilization chamber is at least 65 cm, preferably at least 70 cm, more preferably at least 75 cm, more preferably at least 80 cm, still more preferably at least 85 cm, more preferably at least 90 cm, preferably at least 95 cm, preferably at least 100 cm, still more preferably at least 105 cm, more preferably at least 110 cm, preferably at least 115 cm, still more preferably at least 120 cm, and most preferably at least 125 cm.

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Figure 2 shows the connection of a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention with a ventilation equipment (9).

The ventilation pipes as well as the exhaust pipes of the ventilation equipment (9) can be connected directly with the metal container (1) and no longer have to be contemplated for each individual space in which a construction element is located and mainly an element of construction at risk of explosion of the sterilization plant. Therefore, by dissipating the air from the container space separately, the explosion protection air exhaust equipment on the side of the system in the different sterilization zones is no longer necessary.

Figure 3 shows preferred sites where ethylene oxide sensors (EO sensors; 10) can be contemplated in the connection of the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention with a ventilation equipment (9).

Basically, an ethylene oxide sensor (10) in the air exhaust duct of the ventilation equipment (9) or inside the metal container (1) (shown in Figure 3 by both points) is sufficient. Of the metal container (1) in figure 3 only the silhouette is reproduced, in figure 3 the sterilization plant inside the metal container (1) is not shown.

The stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention also has obvious disadvantages with respect to the monitoring of the concentration of ethylene oxide (i.e. the monitoring of EO) and the safety related to contamination with EO. In conventional sterilization plants, it is necessary to carry out an EO monitoring in all the spaces of the system, where the components of the sterilization plant were housed. In the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention, the monitoring of ethylene oxide is limited to the internal space of the container and / or the exhaust air. Regarding the monitoring of the concentration of ethylene oxide in the internal space of the container, according to an embodiment of the present invention it is preferred when at least two ethylene oxide sensors are located in the internal space of the container (sensors EO), in which case an EO sensor is preferably in the same sterilization chamber and other EO sensors are located in the space inside the container but outside the Sterilization Chamber, that is in the so-called technical space. In embodiments of the present invention in which within the technical space by means of a spatial demarcation another compartment is delimited in which, for example, there is control of the ethylene oxide sterilization plant, the humidification equipment and the ventilation equipment (see above), then in this separate area other EO sensors can be found. This has the advantage that the three compartments inside the container to which personnel have to enter for different reasons (for example for loading and unloading of the sterilization chamber, for the control of the device, maintenance of the devices and change of the ethylene oxide tanks) can be monitored independently which can be of great importance for the safety of service personnel precisely in cases of oatmeal.

The construction of the container also reduces the space volume, therefore, the amount of air for the necessary extraction of air. This in turn has the advantage that the ventilation equipment can be mentioned smaller.

Figure 5 shows a schematic construction of a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention in a possible variant of two containers, which comprises a vacuum pump (5), an ethylene oxide evaporator (4), a ethylene oxide tank (3), a disposal device for ethylene oxide (EO discard), that is an exhaust gas purification equipment (14), which is located outside the metal container, a control or control device (6), a humidification equipment (7) in the form of a steam generator (7a), indispensable tubenas (8) and a sterilization chamber (2) as well as the ventilation equipment (9) that It is located outside the metal container. The components at risk of explosion comprising the sterilization chamber (2), the vacuum pump (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and the ethylene oxide tank (3), in which case the pump vacuum (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and the ethylene oxide tank (3) are housed in a first standardized metal container (1a) and the sterilization chamber (2) is housed in a second standardized metal container (1 b), attached to the first. Also inside the first metal container (1 a) but in an area that is not necessarily protected against explosions of the first metal container (1 a) are also contemplated the humidification equipment (7), the control or control device (6) asf as a chamber heating (for example hot water system) (15).

The tubenas (8) between the two standardized containers are limited to ducts between the chamber heating (for example hot water system) (15) and the sterilization chamber (2), the humidification equipment (7) and the chamber sterilization (2), the vacuum pump (5) and the sterilization chamber (2) as well as the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and the sterilization chamber (2). Almost the entire interior space of the second standardized metal container is available for the sterilization chamber (2). Both metallic containers and preferably maintained containers are preferably installed in immediate proximity between sf and

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They ride finally. The ventilation equipment (9) is inevitably located outside both metal containers and is connected to the explosion protected areas of both metal containers.

List of reference symbols

1 metal container

1st first metal container 1b second metal container

2 sterilization chamber

3 ethylene oxide tank or ethylene oxide cylinder

4 ethylene oxide evaporator

5 ford pump

6 control or control device

7 humidification equipment 7a steam generator

8 tubenas

9 ventilation equipment

10 ethylene oxide sensor (EO sensor)

11 scale

12 connection for other media (for example hot water)

13 spatial separation

14 exhaust gas purification equipment

15 chamber heating (for example hot water system)

Description of the figures

Figure 1

Figure 1 shows in the form of a very simplified scheme a stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide according to the invention, which comprises a ford pump (5), an evaporator of ethylene oxide (4), an oxide tank of ethylene (3), a control or control device (6), a steam generator (7a), a sterilization chamber (2) and indispensable tubenas (8). It can be recognized that the components at risk of explosion, more precisely the ford pump (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (4), the ethylene oxide tank (3) and the sterilization chamber (2) of the plant Stationary sterilization with ethylene oxide are housed in a metal container (1) and only a few tubenas pass through the wall of the container. The control or control device (6) is placed outside on the metal container (1).

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows in a very simplified scheme the connection of a stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide according to the invention found in the metal container (1) with a ventilation equipment (9). In addition, the sterilization chamber (2) and the ethylene oxide tank (3) are shown.

Figure 3

Figure 3 shows in the form of a very simplified scheme the preferred sites where the EO sensors (10) can be arranged in connection with the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide according to the invention with a ventilation equipment (9).

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Figure 4

Figure 4 shows in the form of a very simplified scheme a stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant according to the invention comprising a ford pump (5), an ethylene oxide evaporator, (4) an ethylene oxide tank ( 3), a control or control device (6), a steam generator (7a), a sterilization chamber (2) and indispensable tubenas (8). It can be recognized that the components at risk of explosion, more precisely the ford pump (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (4), the ethylene oxide tank (3) and the sterilization chamber (2) of the plant Stationary sterilization with ethylene oxide are housed in a metal container (1). In addition, in a specially separated area within the metal container (1), the control or control device (6) as well as the steam generator (7a) are contemplated. Zone a very few tubenas pass through the wall of the container.

Figure 5

Figure 5 shows in the form of a very simplified scheme a stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide according to the invention in which in a first standardized metal container (1a) in a separate space protected against the explosions of this first metal container ( 1 a) the ford pump (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and the ethylene oxide tank (3) and within this first metal container (1 a) are included in an area separated from it by The humidification equipment (7), the control (6) and the chamber heating (for example hot water system) (15) are housed in a space demarcation (13). In a spatial neighborhood to this first metal container (1 a) is a second standard metal container (1b), in which the sterilization chamber (2) is housed.

Figure 6

Figure 6 shows in a very simplified scheme the structure of the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide according to figure 5, in which case the area not protected against explosions of the first metal container (1 a) is marked by half dotted lines.

Claims (15)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 65 1. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traversed, comprising a ford pump (5), an ethylene oxide evaporator (4), an ethylene oxide tank (3), a control ( 6), a humidification equipment (7) and a sterilization chamber (2), characterized in that the sterilization chamber (2), the ford pump (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and the tank ethylene oxide (3) are housed in at least one metal container (1). 2. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, according to claim 1, in which the control (6) is placed outside the at least one metal container (1) or outside the at least one metal container (1). 3. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, according to claim 1, in which the control (6) is placed in a spatially separated area within the at least one metal container (1). 4. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the at least one metal container (1) is a permanent container. 5. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which one can travel, according to one of claims 1-4, in which the ford pump (5), the ethylene oxide evaporator (3) and the Ethylene oxide tank (3) are housed in a first metal container (1 a) and the sterilization chamber (2) in a second metal container (1 b). 6. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traversed according to one of claims 1-5, which also comprises tubenas (8) between the sterilization chamber (2) and the ford pump (5 ), between the sterilization chamber (2) and the ethylene oxide evaporator (4), between the ethylene oxide evaporator (4) and the ethylene oxide tank (3) as well as between the sterilization chamber (2) ) and the humidification equipment (7). 7. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traded, according to one of claims 1-4 and 6, in which the components at risk of explosion are found inside a metal container (1). 8. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traversed, according to one of claims 1-7 which also comprises an exhaust gas purification equipment (14) and a chamber heating (15), in which case the exhaust gas purification equipment (14) and the chamber heating (15) are inside the at least one metal container (1). 9. Stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, according to one of claims 1-8, in which case the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be transited, is a plant of sterilization of pales. 10. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, according to claim 9, in which case in the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, and in the sterilization chamber (2) means are provided for the transport of the pales. 11. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traversed according to one of claims 1-10, in which the sterilization chamber (2) in the case of the variant of a container has a volume internal of at least 5% of the internal volume of the metal container (1) or in which the sterilization chamber (2) in the case of the two container variant has an internal volume of at least 35% of the internal volume of the metal container (1), where the sterilization chamber is located (2). 12. Stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, according to one of claims 1-11, in which case the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be transited, can be connected to a production line and / or the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traversed, can be operated continuously in run operation. 13. Stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, according to one of claims 1-12, in which case the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be transited, additionally comprises a ventilation equipment (9) to ventilate the container or containers (1) as well as the contained sterilization chambers (2). 14. Stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through which it can be traversed, according to one of claims 1-13, in which case the stationary ethylene oxide sterilization plant, through the 10 which can be transited, additionally comprises ethylene oxide sensors (10) to monitor the concentration of ethylene oxide in the stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be transited, as well as a system to control the opening state of the accesses to the sterilization chamber (2), and in which case the ethylene oxide sensors (10) and the system to control the opening state of the accesses to the sterilization chamber (2) are connected to the control (6 ). 15. Stationary sterilization plant with ethylene oxide, through which it can be traveled, according to one of claims 1-14, in configuration of a modular system comprising a first metal container (1 a) containing a vacuum pump (5), an ethylene oxide evaporator (4), an ethylene oxide tank (3), a control (6) and a humidification equipment (7) as well as at least one other metal container (1 b) containing a sterilization chamber (2), in which case the first metal container (1 a) can be joined with other metal containers (1 b) variable in size, which contain a sterilization chamber (2).